In the protocol part of the meeting, the Russian president stressed that the level of ties reached between the two countries was largely possible thanks to the efforts of the head of the German Executive over the past 16 years, the presidential press service reported.

He pointed out that Germany is Russia’s second largest trade and economic partner after China. In this regard, he explained that despite the severe recession of 2020, the business exchange increased almost twice as much in the first six months of the year.

Putin emphasized that Russia celebrates the Year of Germany in 2021, associated with the development of trade in several fields of economy. Regarding bilateral relations at the government level, he also said that the two countries are in constant telephone contact with each other.

For her part, Merkel pointed out that this is her farewell visit as head of the Executive of her country and assured that she is ‘very happy about it’. However, she pointed out that this is a working visit, ‘we have a lot to talk about’, she said.

In Berlin, the German government spokesman, Steffen Seibert, pointed out that Afghanistan, Ukraine and Belarus will be on the table of the meeting.

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